Joseph Polacek

He was an outstanding athlete excelling on the soccer field. Joe married his loving wife Cathy on his birthday almost 60 years ago. Joe immigrated to the US in 1957, settling in Chicago before moving to Arlington Heights, IL to raise their children. Joe and Cathy left Arlington Heights for the Caribbean to operate their own business in Puerto Rico and St. Croix. They left the Caribbean for Naples nineteen years ago after living through the devastation of Hurricane Hugo.

His early career in the International Marketing Group of Motorola sparked his traveling adventures, beginning with Mexico, Central and South America and the Far East.

Some of Joe’s favorite times were spent in his garden, sitting in the sun on the beach enjoying the ocean, trying to beat Cathy at Scrabble, painting, sailing, scuba diving, and traveling. Whether passing through the Panama Canal, walking the Great Wall of China, joining archeological digs in Ecuador and Chile, living it up in Monte Carlo and Lake Como, scuba diving in the Caribbean, experiencing the glaciers up close in Alaska, or camping in the Smokey Mountains, Joe’s passion for traveling was shared by Cathy.

He leaves behind the love of his life and best friend Cathy as well as the legacy of living large to his son Bert Polacek; daughter, Nora Barber and her husband Jack; son, Mike Polacek and his wife Ana; His grandchildren Dylan, Sydney, Emily, Megan, Josef and India; His brother, Steve Polacek and his wife Mary; nieces, Monica, Irene and Erika; and his many close friends and traveling companions, Rolf and Rose.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Monday, March 5 at 11:30 at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens, 525 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108.

Heartfelt thanks to the staff of Avow for their tender care. Please consider making a donation in Joe’s name to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105.